fixing squeak in stairs in house

[Biggredd]

I have a house built in 1992 and the stairs going up to the bedroom squeak like crazy. I read the best way to fix is from the back side but I'd have to tear out a finished wall/ceiling on the backside to do that. Anyone know if it's reasonable to just pull up the carpet and put in a few screws in necessary places and tack the carpet back in place ?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: fixing squeak in stairs in house

Yea, if you have a runner or full carpet on the stairs, you could do that sort of thing.

I would do 2 (or 3) screws per stair, but drill the hole for the screw in the stair thread (plank) first, (just the stair plank and not the stringer). Then before you put the screw in inject some wood glue into the hole. It will tend to adhere the stair thread to the stringer once you put the screw in.

If you just do the screws, those may tend to back out a bit over time and the squeaking will resume.

 

[captmello]

Re: fixing squeak in stairs in house

Yea, if you have a runner or full carpet on the stairs, you could do that sort of thing.

I would do 2 (or 3) screws per stair, but drill the hole for the screw in the stair thread (plank) first, (just the stair plank and not the stringer). Then before you put the screw in inject some wood glue into the hole. It will tend to adhere the stair thread to the stringer once you put the screw in.

If you just do the screws, those may tend to back out a bit over time and the squeaking will resume.

+1.

Once the carpet is up, you may find it just as easy to pull the squeeky treads up so you can glue them completely, before reinstalling the tread with screws.

 

[Biggredd]

Re: fixing squeak in stairs in house

That's a good idea, wanted to make sure I'm on the right path. I do have some glue to use and I just may pull the whole step as you said.
Thanks

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: fixing squeak in stairs in house

That's a good idea, wanted to make sure I'm on the right path. I do have some glue to use and I just may pull the whole step as you said.
Thanks

You may have a real problem with that.
Most stairs are pre-assembled and include the stair tread being dadoed into the stringer.

 

[robert graham]

Re: fixing squeak in stairs in house

Wonder if you could put a deck screw right down through the carpet with the head of the screw buried in the carpet pile so as to not be visible?...might work with a fairly deep pile carpet and a screw with the same color as the carpet....might be an easy fix?....

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: fixing squeak in stairs in house

they sell a screw for flooring like that... it has a head that breaks off or something. Saw it on Ask This Old House I think.

 

[robert graham]

Re: fixing squeak in stairs in house

Maybe a visit to Home Depot and/or Lowes to fish for new/neat ideas?....won't cost you anything...

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: fixing squeak in stairs in house

How to Repair Squeaky Stairs: The Family Handyman

 

[Grandad]

Re: fixing squeak in stairs in house

I've got the same problem. Mine are oak with a nice finish and dadoed into the stringers. Always thinking marine, I considered using Gluvit applied to the joints, but that's pretty expensive. - Grandad

 

[Biggredd]

Re: fixing squeak in stairs in house

So I pulled the carpet on the stairs and tried a few screws in one of the steps. Almost seems like it's the side brace causing the issue. The screws did almost nothing. You could see a couple steps flex you stepped on them. Might need some professional help.

 

[blackhawk180]

Re: fixing squeak in stairs in house

Sorry to hear that Biggredd. Sadly, those stairs were not installed correctly in the first place. If the tread flexes under load, you probably need to replace the whole mess (hopefully the stringers were done correctly and out of the proper size material)
I've been building stairs for 45 years and I guarantee you, none of them squeak. A huge pet peeve of mine! Floors too. Simply unacceptable with modern building materials.
If you plan to stay in the house for any extended period of time, I'd skip the quick fix option. If your intent is a quick sale, it's up to your conscience.

 

[Biggredd]

Re: fixing squeak in stairs in house

I was hoping you wouldn't say a total replacement. I may look into a temporary bandaid as I can't imagine that'll be a cheap fix. Got too many other large home priorities first.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: fixing squeak in stairs in house

Sounds like glue is needed. Plan a permanent opening under the stairs (for storage), pry the treads up a little and insert liquid nails. Reset the treads.